Golden Ape
Beat-Tape Vol. 2
Beats by
Dweller
Side-B Mixed by
DJ Simon C
It was about eighteen months ago when a reviewed the first
Golden Ape Beat-Tape from Dweller on the Live From The Groove label. That
release featured a collection of some of the UKs finest underground beat makers
, plus a B-Side that was seamlessly mixed by the legendary Jazz T.
Now Live From The Groove is back with the second instalment,
the Golden Ape Beat-Tape Vol 2. This time around the collection of beats
all come from label founder Dweller with Side-B being mixed by the labels own
DJ Simon C….
That said, let’s get into it…
Each side of the Beat-Tape is nine tracks long and a little
under 25 minutes in length. The A-Side kicks off with Misguided Adventure,
which has a proper funky head nod vibe that really comes alive with this double
bass element that vibrates through your whole body as you groove to the sound. What
It Means follows with drums, keys, guitar vibes, flute and more, all coming
together to give you a sound that keeps you moving. This one has that kind of
vibe that would not see it out of place on a soundtrack of movie or TV series
that has an inner city setting or similar. Next up is Chop La Disco
which brings this awesome funk fuelled sound that mixes drums, strings, piano
and guitars into the kind of sound that has an infectious feel to it. The
infectious funk vibe continues on Beam Me Up which has this wicked drum
beat over which is this eclectic mix of piano, organ and electronic vibes that
picks you up and has you floating off into space. Now you are suitably floating
off, its time for North Stars to have you transcending into another
dimension with this futuristic beat and electronic vibes. Taking you far away
as you allow the sound to permeate your awareness. Without warning the vibe
changes with Grubby Luggage, here the sound has a more boom bap feel
with a solid beat and funky bass sound that brings back from outer space to get
your head nodding once more. Now you suitable grounded once more, Slow
Motion Thinking brings a lighter sound with flute, keys, guitars, and a
more chilled beat. This one would almost have you chilled right out but for the
occasional high paced beat elements that just about keep you in the moment. The
penultimate track on this side is the only one to feature a vocal sample thus
far as the intro to Pick The Right Way. Here the beat is heavy with
electronic elements which seem to fit with the notion that picking the wrong
way will take you on a downward spiral to place you don’t want to be. You end
this side immersed in a place where you get A Word In Your Ear, one
which is full of strings, drums, and cymbals. The sound has this head nod
element but, also this vibe that has a more thoughtful edge to it, the kind of
sound that fits perfectly when you are in a contemplative mood.
It is now time to flip over to the B-Side where DJ Simon C
is about to test the minds of the listener, especially the reviewer who has no
idea of track length going into this, with nine beats being perfectly and
seamlessly mixed from start to finish. It all kicks off with Cryptwalking,
with a heavy beat, bells, keys and more, this one does give you the sense of
slowly walking forward, with no real direction and with one eye cast over your
shoulder. The beat changes slightly as we move into Flat-tops, where big orchestra horns take the forefront alongside a
solid head nod beat. Once more you get that kind of soundtrack vibe before
heavy strings join the sound. This carries you into Waterfalls, where
the beat and guitar vibes unite with Piano elements to bring this upbeat sound
that makes you wonder, what would a waterfall sound like if it had a musical
element as is cascaded over your body, and perhaps this is it. The Piano vibes
continue with Gut-Wrench which has this Lofi sound that, I have to say,
does put you in mind of how you feel having had some gut-wrenching news;
carrying you along where you are almost in a daze. Just as you are wondering
where this is going, Shot In The Dark drops in with a pulse pounding
funk sound that has this awesome uplifting sound with this funky guitar element
that puts a grin on your face once more. Sycamore Style kind of drifts
into the flow with a drum program and horns that give you a sense being at
speed but, also floating at the same time, just like a sycamore seed as it falls
to the ground, spinning rapidly while floating slowly on the breeze. Crom’s
Lament comes in with a recognisable sample that has that soundtrack vibe to
it, alongside heavy drums and cymbals; all of which put you in mind that
something big is coming and this is almost the calm before the storm. It is
either that or this is the sound of someone coming to terms with their past as
their final journey awaits them. Whichever it is there is this emotive edge to
this one that conjures up many things for the listener. You won’t be waiting
long see what the impending sound was foretelling as The End Of The World
is soon upon you. Drums and keys create this deep sound, one that continues
that emotive edge, touching you to the very core of your being and making you
wonder if there is anything more to this journey; that question is soon
answered as Shake The Colours almost explodes into your awareness,
instantly pulling you back to the present moment. The upbeat sound of drums,
xylophone notes and horns give you an instant adrenaline hit that makes you
realise that there is not just a silver lining to the world around you but,
that music is the gateway to a brighter future, you just have to let it in…
I have to say that, bringing myself back from this one was a
huge task as instrumental music gives me free reign to interpret things however
I want and, looking back over my words, I could rewrite this one totally
differently if felt like it and even go on for a few more pages yet but, I have
to give you some overall impressions, or perhaps I just did…
There are few things that strike you when you have given
this a good listen or two, the first of which is the diversity of Dweller’s
production across these eighteen tracks. Yes, you can feel that the foundation
comes from that boom bap Hip Hop sound but, there are some great elements of
other sounds, genre’s and more mixed into each one of these; showing the
calibre and an insight into just what he is capable of as a producer. The
emotive nature of these tracks really allows you to go anywhere with this one
and the fact that it leaves you on a high note means that no matter how you are
feeling when you put this one on, it will leave you on a more euphoric note
once you get to that last track.
You can’t sum up this one without taking a good look at the
B-Side too. DJ Simon C expertly mixes these tracks together, keeping the vibe
going all the way through until that last explosion of sound and inferred
colour. His addition of cuts across the whole thing also adds depth and keeps
that foundation of the Hip Hop sound alive while giving you food for thought
without pausing to consider just where the music is taking you; it’s just one
long journey to enjoy.
For me this a cracking release that shows exactly what Live
From The Groove, Dweller and DJ Simon C have to offer. The Golden Ape Beat-Tape
Vol 2 takes things to a different level from Vol 1 and proves that they are
true silver backs of the UK Hip Hop scene.
The Golden Ape Beat-Tape Vol 2 is available now and is
definitely one not to miss, also make sure you check out the recent review of MNEA ; The Future Introspective EP which is another outstanding release from
Live From The Groove
My thanks to Dweller for giving me the chance to bring you
this one.
I’ll see you next time,
Steve.
LINKS
Get your copy from one of these links:
https://www.livefromthegroove.com/
https://livefromthegroove.bandcamp.com/album/golden-ape-beat-tape-volume-2
One link for all things LFTG:
https://linktr.ee/livefromthegroove
Live From The Groove Socials:
https://www.facebook.com/livefromthegroove
https://www.instagram.com/livefromthegroove/
VIDEOS
Golden Ape Beat-Tape Vol. 2 Side-A
Golden Ape Beat-Tape Vol. 2 Side-B Mixed by DJ Simon C
